2 face manslaughter charges after overdose death of man in Paducah

PADUCAH, Ky. (KBSI) – Two people from Paducah face second-degree manslaughter and other charges after the overdose death of a Paducah man last week.

Tyler C. Scarbrough, 28, of Parkside Drive faces charges of second-degree manslaughter and trafficking in controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)/first offense.

Molly K. Smith, 21, of Nace Lane faces charges of second-degree manslaughter, two counts of trafficking in controlled substance (carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives)/first offense; two counts of first-degree possession of controlled substance/first offense; aggravated trafficking in controlled substance more than 28 grams (fentanyl); importing carfentanil or fentanyl derivatives; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia; and possession of marijuana.

Both remain in McCracken County Regional Jail.

Paducah police were called Sunday, Oct. 15, to a home on Buckner Lane in reference to a 27-year-old who was choking.

Paducah firefighters arrived on scene before police officers. They administered Narcan after they determined the man had overdosed. The man was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Initial tests conducted at the hospital revealed the cause of death to be a fentanyl overdose, according to the Paducah Police Department.

Detectives found the man had fentanyl pills in his possession at the time of his death.

Detectives learned that the man had purchased fentanyl pills from Tyler Scarbrough about an hour before his death, according to Paducah police.

Police obtained a warrant and arrested Scarbrough on Thursday.

Detectives determined that Scarbrough got the fentanyl pills from Molly K. Smith, according to police.

An undercover detective contacted Smith in an effort to purchase drugs from her. Smith met the detective to sell him fentanyl, and was arrested, according to police.

When Smith was arrested, detectives say Smith was in possession of 70 suspected fentanyl pills.

Authorities searched her home and found about 650 suspected fentanyl pills, marijuana, psilocybin (mushrooms) and LSD, according to police.

Detectives also seized more than $7,000 believed to be profit from illegal drug sales.

Police say Smith admitted during an interview that she drove to Tennessee at least twice to bring fentanyl back to Kentucky to sell.

“This tragic incident is a reminder of the dangers of fentanyl,” said Paducah Police Chief Brian Laird. “In many instances, one pill is enough to take a life. I would like to commend our detectives for identifying the local sources and taking more than 700 of these pills off the street, no doubt preventing countless other overdoses.”

The investigation continues.

Anyone with information this incident or any other drug activity is asked to call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550.